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Eyes on Trade is a blog by the staff of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch (GTW) division. GTW aims to promote democracy by challenging corporate globalization, arguing that the current globalization model is neither a random inevitability nor "free trade." Eyes on Trade is a space for interested parties to share information about globalization and trade issues, and in particular for us to share our watchdogging insights with you! GTW director Lori Wallach's initial post explains it all.

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June 05, 2009

A Terrifying Way to Start the Weekend

Report are in that Peruvian police have massacred at least 20 indigenous people who have been protesting FTA-related policies that give concessions to corporations without consent or consultation of indigenous communities.

At least 20 people died and 50 were injured Friday in clashes
between Peruvian police and Amazon tribes opposed to foreign companies
opening oil wells and mines in the rainforest.

Indigenous leaders accused police of shooting at hundreds of
protesters from helicopters to end a road block on a remote jungle
highway 870 miles from Lima, the capital.

Police said the protesters fired first, but the tribesmen denied having guns and said they only bore their traditional spears.

Tribal leaders said a dozen protesters were killed, while the
interior ministry said eight officers died in protests over the
government's push to open up Peru to foreign investment. It was the
first round of severe violence since demonstrations started in April.

Check back soon for more details on the mobilizations and more analysis on how the U.S.- Peru FTA started this horrifying chain of events into motion. Let's keep the families, and the causes for which their loved ones died, in our thoughts this weekend.